Rand Paul

[Raven]

The Libertarian position depends on a government being there, just one that is as non-intrusive as possible into the lives of its citizens. Libertarians who do not want any level of government should call themselves a type of anarchist instead.

For the record, I support a fair tax for everyone, minimal regulation (but not completely eradicated), a large degree of privatization (except for things concerning national defense and justice...i.e. courts, prisons, the police), and I'm fine with some level of social welfare as long as there are proper rules in place to restrict welfare fraud.

Thanks for laying your cards on the table. In my case, I was one of the founding members of the Democratic Socialist Party chapter at college. Obviously that puts us on opposite sides, which keeps things from getting boring. FWIW I doubt that any of the Libertarians I am personally acquainted with would go for being labeled any kind of anarchist. They'd consider it an insult. Can't see why, myself. After all, it fits the definition of anarchy, doesn't it? But these guys consider anarchism to be radical left wing political philosophy, no better than my socialist leanings. Oh, well.

For me, the whole purpose of government is to take care of the citizenry, social welfare is it's primary purpose. If it can't manage that, what good is it?